Collaborative Campaign Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in collaboration with the Nepal Association of Tour Operators (NATO) and a group of Commercial Partners have jointly launched a Nepal Promotion Program in the Middle East coinciding with the Arabian Travel Mart 2004. Similar Joint campaigns have recently been launched in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The promotion takes advantage of the over 20 flights a week between the Middle East and Nepal, providing exciting and fun holidays to residents of Gulf countries, giving a convenient and inexpensive new destination to take a vacation. Away from the heat into the cool mountain climate of Nepal in just a few hours, the choices are vast, from Jungle Safaris where Rhino and Bengal Tigers wander freely, to a flight to Mount Everest, a day within a living Museum city or a breathtaking trek beneath the revered fish tail peak of the Annapurnas. The initial thrust of the promotion gives access to some amazing Himalayan Golf courses that are regarded as the best in the region for resort and adventure golf. The 10 quality partners include Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Hotels, Airlines, Golf Courses and Resorts, a Tour Operator, a Jungle Safari Lodge, and a Trekking Agency. Nepal—A Natural Paradise Nepal, a small Kingdom located between India and China, has an astonishing diversity of sightseeing attractions in spite of its small geographical size. From the tallest mountain peak in the world to the thickest jungles in South Asia, from rich bio diversity to exotic cultures, from spiritualism and meditation to the bustle and bustle of its centuries old market places, Nepal never ceases to amaze all those who have seen her. The Kathmandu valley presents a microcosm of Nepal's rich cultural past and abounds in breathtaking architectural wealth with 7 UNESCO designated World Heritage Sites within a radius of 20 kilometers. If Kathmandu valley is a representational model of cultural and architectural excellence, the picturesque town of Pokhara is the scenic gateway to adventures in the Annapurna Mountains. Chitwan, another tourism hotspot is a wildlife safari experience to rival the best available elsewhere in the world but, closer home in Asia! Adventure tourism like trekking, mountaineering, rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, fishing, rock climbing, golf, paragliding, ultra light aircraft, boating, pony treks, bungy jumping are very popular amongst the tourists. The Nepal Himalayas are crowned by eight of the world's 14 highest mountains including Mount Everest (8,848m)-- the highest point on earth. To conserve this natural heritage, the government has set aside an area of over 16,500 sq. km spread over 8 national parks and 4 wildlife reserves. Two of these, the Sagarmatha National Park (1148 sq. km) and the Royal Chitwan National Park (932 sq. km), are listed as UNESCO World Natural Heritage Sites. Nepal ranks top in the 20 journeys of lifetime The United Kingdom's leading magazine The Observer, sister publication of the UK's Guardian in its Sunday edition (January 11, 2004) released its “20 Journeys of a Lifetime” and selected Everest Base Camp of Nepal as seventh in its list. iExplore Award iExplore, an internationally reputed internet-based travel company has chosen Nepal among the Top Ten World Travel Destinations in 2003 released on January 7, 2004. Nepal is the only South Asian country to have been chosen to this prestigious list. In a separate product wise category, Annapurna treks has been described as the best trek in the world and the Royal Chitwan National Park ranks seventh in the world as a Jungle Safari, and the Karnali River as the ninth best whitewater rafting area in the world. Mount Everest among BBC's 50 things to do before you die In early 2003 BBC asked its viewers to vote on the top 50 things they think everyone should do once in their life and Climbing Mount Everest has made its place in the 26th position. Swimming with dolphins in Florida, USA has been voted top of the list. Likewise BBC Holiday had earlier included Nepal in the category of "50 places to see before you die". The heights of the Himalayas placed Nepal in 30th place. | 
